Journal of Horace St. Paul
1757: Waiting on Events

July 27, 1757

Translated and Edited With Additional Materials By Neil Cogswell


General Beck, who unceasingly shadows the Prussians with his Croats, has already advanced as far as Weissenberg. Thereby, he has gained a march over the enemy and is in a position where he can hinder their going to Silesia; from his new position he will be able continually to harass and incommode their marches.

We are expecting the imminent arrival at the Austrian army of another 8,000 Croats, who, for the most part, are destined to operate in Silesia. The First column is already at Nismes, the second at Huhnerwasser and the third at Kosmanos.

The Austrians have already sent several detachments of light troops to Rothenburg and Naumburg. This was at the same time as Colonel Jahnus had penetrated into Silesia, via Landshut, with about 4,000 irregular troops, newly arrived from Hungary. In all, more than 12,000 such light troops have augmented the strength of the army since the Battle of Prague (May 6th).

As a result of his tours of inspection, General Guasco has reconnoitred five alternative possible encampments for the army. At the same time, he has also given appropriate instructions for the disposition of the troops in Gorlitz, so that they can resist any attempt at a surprise attack and keep their lines of communication open to receive the help that the Main Army would not fail to send them.

The difficulty that we have in obtaining forage for the army obliges us to remain here longer than we would wish.

The news of the Army of the King of Prussia, sent to us by General Nádasdy, speaks of his Advanced Guard being already at Lockwitz and that he has drawn to him several battalions from the garrisons of Torgau, Leipzig and other places.

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